CHAPTER THIRTY SIX – LOCKED IN

Catherine hesitated for a moment before nodding sadly and closing the door behind her. Rebecca flopped back onto her bed, grabbing her pillow and hugging it tightly to her chest. She could hear the muffled sounds of her family eating dinner downstairs, their voices a distant hum. As the days passed, Rebecca's room became both her sanctuary and her prison. She spent hours reading, losing herself in the worlds of her favorite books. Sometimes, she'd sit by the window, watching the world go by outside, imagining herself out there, free. One afternoon, a week into her confinement, Rebecca was sprawled on her bed, flipping through a worn copy of "Pride and Prejudice" when her sister Nancy poked her head in. "Hey," Nancy said hesitantly. Rebecca looked up, surprised. "Hey." Nancy stepped inside, closing the door behind her. "I... I brought you something." She pulled a small paper bag from behind her back. Rebecca sat up, curious. "What is it?" Nancy handed her the bag. "Open it." In